Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D.

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Planetary Anti-Stress Formulas

Stress Free

Zizyphus spinosa seed, Magnesium (citrate, oxide), Valerian root, Valerian root extract, Skullcap, Hawthorn Berry, American Ginseng, Black Cohosh, Wood Betony, Chamomile, Hops, Ginger, Siberian Ginseng root and Siberian Ginseng root extract, Calcium carbonate.

Easy Sleep

Zizyphus root, valerian root, valerian root extract, Skullcap, passion flower, Wood Betony, Chamomile, Hops, Dong quai, Poria cocos, Amber, American ginseng root, licorice root, ginger root, calcium citrate, magnesium taurinate.

Calm Child

Extracts of chamomile, catnip, lemon balm, Zizyphus, hawthorn berry, licorice root, piperlongum, amla, gotu kola, calcium gluconate, cell salts of calcium phosphate 6X, Magnesium phosphate 6X and Potassium phosphate 6x; essential oils of anise, cinnamon, cloves in pure vegetable glycerin and purified water.

Herbs and substances for the Nervous System

Skullcap, labiatae, Scutellaria lateriflora

Other Names: madweed

Energy and flavors: cool energy, bitter

Organ meridians: liver, heart and nervous systems

Properties: nervine, sedative, antispasmodic

Specific indications: nervousness from physical or mental exhaustion, teething, tremors, hysteria, involuntary muscular action, functional heart disorders of a purely nervous type with intermittent pulse.

Comparison with other herbs: skullcap has a cool, detoxifying energy which makes it specifically useful for addictions of drugs, alcohol, etc.., it is stronger than betony, has more alterative, blood cooling properties than other nervines.

Dose: 5 to 30 drops

Valerian, valerianaceae, valeriana officinalis

Energy and flavor: warm energy, acrid flavor

Organ meridians: liver, heart

Properties: nervine, antispasmodic, carminative, stimulant, anodyne.

Specific indications:

Cerebral anemia, hysteria, chorea, mental depression and despondency, mild spasmodic movements.

Comparison with other herbs: unlike most nervines which have a warm energy, valerian is similar to asafoetida in having a milder spicy and warm nature, thus its action is to allay anxiety and nervousness by increasing vascular circulation; in this it is quite different from skullcap, passionflower and hyoscyamine.

Dose: 1 to 30 drops, up to a teaspoon for insomnia.

Hops, Urticaceae, Humulus lupulus

Energy and flavors: bitter flavor, cool energy

Organ meridians entered: liver, heart

Properties: nervine, sedative. hypnotic, bitter tonic, antiseptic

Specific indications: Nervousness, irritability, brooding disposition, delirium, insomnia, cerebral hyperaemia, genital and mental irritability, obsession with sex, spermatorrhea, fermentative dyspepsia with acid eructations.

Comparison with other herbs: specifically useful for digestion related insomnia, different from valerian in that it does not work through a spicy, acrid principle but rather through a bitter. Combines bitter tonic with nervine, sedative properties.

Dose: 1 to 60 drops of the tincture.

Betony, Labiatae, Betonica officinalis, stachys betonica, wood betony.

Energies and flavors: bitter, cool

liver, heart

Properties: Mild sedative and nervine, mild bitter cholagogue

Specific indications: headaches

Comparison with other herbs: combines broad, mild therapeutic action working somewhat like skullcap but somewhat weaker, useful when there is inflammation and associated liver stagnation.

Dose: 3 to 9 grams, tincture 10-30 drops.

Zizyphus spinosa, rhamnaceae, Chinese: Suan zao ren

Energy and flavor: sweet, sour, neutral

Organ meridians: heart, spleen, liver, gall bladder (Bensky) Liver and Heart (Him Che Yeung)

Properties: Nutritive nervine

Specific indications: insomnia, fidget, palpitations, night sweats, involuntary perspiration.

Comparison with other herbs: an effective nervine and spirit quietening herb with decided nutritive effects, especially useful for nourishing the nervous system.

Dose: 10 to 20 grams in decoction.

Oats, Avena sativa, Graminaceae

Part used: seeds and the whole plant;

Energy and flavor: sweet, neutral energy

Organs and Meridians: spleen, lungs

Properties: nutritive nerve tonic, demulcent, the white exudate of the freshly harvested oat seed is used.

Specific indications: Nervous exhaustion, nervous debility, nocturnal losses following fevers, nervous headache from overwork and depression.

Comparison with other nerve herbs: more specifically a nutritive nerve tonic, very mild or with little direct effects on the nervous system as with valerian, lady’s slipper, etc..

Passion Flower, Passiflora incarnata, passifloraceae

Energies and flavors: bitter, cool;

Organs and Meridians: heart, liver

Properties: nervine, sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, anodyne

Specific indications: irritation of the brain and nervous system, insomnia from worry or overwork, or from febrile excitement, sleeplessness in the young and aged, convulsive movements, hysteria, infantile nervous irritability, dyspnea, heart palpitations from shock or excitement. According to Scudder it relieves irritation of the nerve centers and improves sympathetic enervation, improving circulation and nutrition. He also recommends it for bowels and hemorrhoids as well as congestion of the ovaries and uterus.

Comparison with other nerve herbs: most specific for insomnia caused by nervous excitement, in this it is somewhat similar to skullcap and stronger than wood betony. It has less general nerve tonic properties than lady’s slipper. Little or no effect on digestion and so is dissimilar to hops.

Dose: 1 to 120 drops

Lady’s slipper, Cypridium pubescens, orchidaceae

Energy and flavors: acrid, sweet, neutral to warm

Organ meridians effected: liver, heart; Properties: nervine, sedative, antispasmodic

Specific Indications” insomnia, nervous irritability, neuralgia and delirium, all from atony; restlessness and muscular twitching, wakefulness from mental unrest, symptoms of premenstrual tension despondency, a tendency to negative mood swings associated with menopause, mental depression from sexual abuse.

Comparison: energetically it is somewhat like valerian but less tending to cerebral excitement, it is perhaps a bit warmer and more substantial than skullcap and has much less liver detoxifying properties than either skullcap or wood betony, it is unlike hops in that it has little action on the digestion and intestines, more of a nervine tonic than passionflower which is best suited for insomnia, less pain relieving properties than hyoscyamine or poppy.

Dose: 5 to 60 drops

Polygala, Yuan chi, polygalae

Energy and flavors: pungent, bitter and warm; Organ meridians: lung, heart, kidney

Properties: sedative, tranquilizer, expectorant, relieves boils and carbuncles.

Specific indications: calms the spirit, treats mental unrest, worry, negative feelings with accompanying insomnia. It also helps clear mucus from the lungs and relieve phlegm and cough.

Dose: 3 to 9 gms.

Comparison: clears mucus from the lungs and clears the mind and heart (consciousness), very good for raising positive energy and aiding the spirit.

Asafoetida, Ferula asafoetida, umbilliferae

Energy and flavors: spicy, bitter and warm

Organ meridians: liver, spleen and stomach

Properties: digestant, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, anti-tumor

Specific indications: nervous irritation with mental disposition, headache, dizziness, hysteria associated with digestive weakness and food congestion, kills worms, relieves abdominal cold pains, treats dysentery, fever with chills,

Comparison with other herbs: It is more warming and stimulating than valerian and hops, more specifically associated with conditions of moodiness, nervous debility and associated feeble digestion.

Dose: 1 to 10 grains of the tincture, 5 to 30 drops.

Gelsemium, Yellow jasmine, Gelsemium sempervirens

Energy and flavors: cool, bitter; Organ meridians: liver, kidneys

Properties: febrifuge, antispasmodic, nervine, alterative, emmenagogue

Specific indications: hyperaemia; bright eyes, contracted pupils, great heat,, nervous unrest, mental irritability; insomnia, with nervous excitation; pain over the whole head; tremulousness, with great nervous excitement and high temperature.

Comparison: gelsemium is similar to veratrum in that they both deal with conditions of sthenic, excess yang inflammations, gelsemium is more effective when there is associated nervous excitement, in this it is a unique antispasmodic, neurological remedy and would not be considered mild but strong and potentially toxic.

Dose: 1/10th to 10 drops mix in a cup of water and take a teaspoonful every to 3 hours.

Black cohosh, Macrotys, Cimicifuga racemosa, Ranunculaceae

Energy and flavors: sweet, pungent, slightly bitter, cool

Organ meridians: liver, spleen, stomach, large intestine,

Properties: antispasmodic, expectorant, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, alterative

Specific indications: Heavy, tensive, aching pain, rheumatic pains, dull, tensive, intermittent, drawing, feeling of contracted muscle fibers, stiff neck, pains of pregnancy and menstrual cramps.

Comparison: macrotys is unique in its combining emmenagogue (blood moving) and antispasmodic properties. It is not a sedative or tranquilizer but aids the nervous system by freeing up the circulation.

Contraindications: because black cohosh stimulates blood circulation, it can increase blood to the head and cause headache.

Dose: tincture of black cohosh, to 30 drops mixed in an ounce of water, one teaspoon is given every two hours. A stronger dose is more effective in adults if their is no headache.

Linden Flowers, Lime Blossoms, Tilia Europaea, Tiliaceae

Energy and flavors: cool energy, pleasant, sweetish and sour flavors; Organs Meridians: lungs, heart

Properties: nervine, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, mild astringent

Specific indications: nervous tension as a result of stress or as an adjunct to feverish diseases. It is also good for relieving the nervous tension that is associated with raised blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.

Comparison: similar and often combined with chamomile and hawthorn berries for the treatment of nervous tension and arteriosclerosis. It relieves stress by promoting diaphoresis but not so strong as lemon balm or catnip which work somewhat similarly.

Dose: 1-4 gms in infusion in a cup of tea.

Dragon Bone, Long Gu, Os Draconis

Energy and flavors: sweet, astringent, neutral to cool

Organ meridians: heart, liver, and kidney

Properties: sedative, tranquilizer, astringent, tonic

Functions:

1. Sedative, tranquilizer
2. To subdue hyperactive liver yang
3. To arrest excessive perspiration and seminal emission

Uses:

1. Palpitation, insomnia, dreamfulness due to neurasthenia
2. Hypertension, with headache and dizziness
3. Spontaneous sweating, leukorrhea, uterine bleeding,
4. Involuntary seminal emission.

Contraindications: for a person with true heat and dampness

Constituents: CaCO3, SiO2, Hydrozy apatite

Dosage: 15-30 gms

Oyster Shell, Mu Li, Ostrea gigas

Energy and flavor: salty, astringent, slightly cold; Organ meridians: liver and kidney

Properties and functions:

1. Sedative and tranquilizer
2. Astringent
3. To soften and disperse hard lumps

Uses:

1. Headache, dizziness, palpitation and insomnia due to hypertension and neurasthenia
2. Night sweats, spontaneous sweats, leukorrhea, uterine bleeding, seminal emission
3. Scrofula, goiter, splenomegaly
4. Peptic ulcer

Contraindication: for cold and weak conditions

Constituents: Ca Co3, Capo4, CaSO4, Mg. Al, K

Dosage: 15-30 gms.

Lobelia Inflata, Family: Lobeliaceae

Part used: seed, leaves, flowers

Energy and flavors: liver, lungs, heart, small intestine

Organ Meridian Effected: alkaloids, lobeline, isolobeline, etc., lobelic and chlidonic acid

Properties: antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant, emetic, alterative, diuretic

Indications and Actions: It treats asthma, bronchial spasms, relaxes respiratory passages, lessens pain of contractions associated with childbirth.

Prepare an acid tincture using apple cider vinegar, 8 ounces to which is macerated 4 ounces of the seeds or other part of the plant.

It exerts a soothing influence upon the nerves, relaxing them and lessening pain. It slows the respiration, softens the pulse, quiets the nervous system and offers a freedom of respiration and circulation. As such it can be used for high blood pressure. It can be used either for depression of circulation or nervous over-stimulation. It is very effective for heat stroke.

Rather than simply relaxing it is able to restore the vital-force to normal function by relaxing associated nervous tension that impedes it.

It is specific for asthma and oppressed breathing, hiccup, whooping cough, spasmodic croup, tetanus, hydrophobia, hysteria paroxysms and hysterical convulsions. In full dose it can be a powerful emetic. If ten drops is mixed into a half glass of water and a teaspoonful given every 10 or 15 minutes, it can be an effective cure for nausea and persistent vomiting.

Heart conditions: For either excess of deficient heart conditions it can be given more freely than any other heart stimulant. It will serve as either a stimulant or sedative to the heart as needed. As such it is very effective for conditions such as tachycardia, angina pectoris and precordial oppression where there is a sensation of tightness of oppression of the chest.

Hysteria: It can provide fast relief of any violent hysterical excitement or convulsions. It can be safely used for childhood convulsions as well.

It can quickly control esophageal spasms. It has been successfully used to treat epidemic spinal meningitis by giving 10 drop doses every hour. Epilepsy can be successfully treated if it is given during the preceding aura stage. It will control the convulsions of tetanus and effectively treat it if detoxifying herbs are given simultaneously. For rigidity of the os uteri it will promote normal contractions after the os is dilated.

A child poisoned with strychnine was saved by a 30 drop dose repeated every half hour. According to the old Eclectic doctors it proved to be universally successful in the treatment of every case of ptomaine poisoning.

In old times it used to be given as an injection for such conditions as cerebral concussion and asphyxia from drowning.

For individuals threatened with hydrophobia, one case was a patient developed no symptoms after taking recurrent doses of lobelia despite the fact that all animals bitten by the same dog developed fatal cases of the disease.

It is also useful for relieving the symptoms of drug withdrawal and alcoholic hangover. It is one of the most effective treatments for relieving the pains of renal calculi. In strangulated hernia it is often very effective. It can be given to relieve the paroxysm associated with malaria. It will relieve symptoms of uremic poisoning and the symptoms of scarlet fever.

Finally it will be very effective of obstinate constipation, extreme albuminaria and profound anuria.

The broad range of therapeutic effectiveness earns its respect by the Thompsonians and Eclectics and the justly deserved name given by the late Dr. Christopher as “the thinking herb”. This is because its combined stimulant and antispasmodic effects will help restore the body to normal function even when the way that might happen may not be clear. Dosage: 10 to 30 drops of the tincture

Chamomile Anthemis nobilis (Roman) and Matricaria chamomila (German)

Family: compositae; Part used: flowering tops; Energy and flavors: bitter, spicy, neutral; Organ Meridian Effected: liver, stomach, lungs

Properties: calmative, nervine, antispasmodic, anodyne, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, carminative

Indications and Actions: Calms nervous restlessness and irritability. It is especially effective for children’s colic and peevish, whiny babies and small children who seem to be continuously fretting and demanding constant care and attention. Chamomile taken in substantial dose (an ounce steeped in a pint of boiling water) is a very effective treatment of for pain, menstrual pains and generally nervousness. It is specifically very effective for diarrhea and digestive problems especially associated with an acid digestive system with acid eructations, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Its ant-acid soothing action seems to be similar to quickly absorbed calcium.

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) and Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium)

Both herbs have similar properties except Black Haw is generally considered stronger in its uterine sedative effect for the treatment of threatened miscarriage and habitual abortion. Both are very effective as female tonics to relieve spasms and symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea. They are often helpful in controlling the symptoms of morning sickness. In general, they can be employed to treat sympathetic disturbances of the heart, stomach and nervous symptoms, common to sensitive women. As such it is effective in changing symptoms of depression and despondency to those of cheerfulness and hopefulness.

Amber or Succinum, Chinese name Hu po

Category: Substances that Anchor, Settle and Calm the Spirit

Energy and flavors: sweet, neutral

Organ Meridian Effected: Bladder, Heart, Liver

Major known chemical Constituents: succoxyabietic acid, succinoabietinolic acid succinosilvic acid, succinoresinol, succinoabietol, succinic acid, benzene.

Properties:

1. Arrests tremors, stops palpitations, calms the spirit
2. Invigorates and moves blood
3. Promotes urination
4. Reduces swelling and promotes healing

It is effective for anxiety, excessive dreams, insomnia, forgetfulness, seizures caused by disturbed spirit, childhood convulsions and seizures. It is also useful for clearing blood stagnation, relieving amenorrhea, pain from masses caused by blood stagnation and coronary heart disease. It can be used for urinary retention, blood in the urine and painful urinary retention. Finally, it can be used for sores, carbuncles and skin ulceration’s.

Dose: 0.9 to 3 grams used as a powder, pill or topically.

Poria cocos, Chinese: Fu ling,

Energy and flavors: sweet, bland, neutral;

Organs and meridians affected: Heart, Spleen and Lung channels. Properties and functions: It drains dampness, harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach, transforms phlegm, quiets the Heart and Calms the Spirit.

Its diuretic effect may be due to the high concentration of potassium. The part found around the root (fu shen) is strongest for calming the spirit.

Dose: 9-15 grams